EGMT 1510: The Documentary

What is a documentary? Who makes them and why? How do documentaries and documentarians decide what is true? How does the documentary go beyond what is accomplished by other kinds of film? What do they teach us about the world and ourselves, and how? This course will ask students to consider these questions and more by deeply engaging with documentary films from across the globe. In seminar discussions and writing, we will collaboratively track our responses as these films work on our thoughts and emotions. Films to be considered include: Seven Up, Five Broken Cameras, Paris is Burning, Harlan County U.S.A, King Corn, The Search for General Tso, and more.